Community News

Traditionally beginning and ending in Wisconsin, the Patriot Tour consists of one American Flag being carried through 48 continental states, escorted by tens of thousands of motorcycle riders for 110 days straight all in honor of America's Armed Forces members.

The annual Tour typically travels through Waukon in September near the end of the Tour, but this year will be reversing its course in making Waukon its first visit on the Tour this weekend.

The Patriot Tour is a vehicle through which the Nation of Patriots organization strives to unite Americans beneath the colors of this nation's flag and behind the men and women who stand up to defend them. The Patriot Tour works to raise financial support and awareness for the families of wounded veterans.

The identity of the men pictured above in this photo that previously ran in the April 5, 2017 edition of The Standard in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the United States' entry into World War I has since been solved. The photo, simply labeled "WWI Veterans," hangs in the Vet's Club in Waukon, with no further details or names being listed with the photo. After publishing the photo earlier this year near the April 6 100th anniversary of the United States joining World War I by declaring war on Germany on that date in 1917, Jim Normann of Waukon recalled seeing such a photo in his family's collection of such items and came across the newspaper clipping of the same photo, along with the following photo caption:

Dave Herold, Superintendent of the Allamakee Community School District (ACSD), was the  guest speaker at the Allamakee Democrats’ monthly meeting held Thursday, May 11. He gave a presentation on school funding and how the restrictions and changes to Chapter 20 (Collective Bargaining) affect the local school district.

In light of the Republican-controlled State House and State Senate recently passing a school funding bill with a 1.1%  increase, which is the third lowest in Iowa’s history, and the cost of living index being listed at four percent, the result is a substantial budget shortfall for schools in Allamakee County. To address this shortfall, Herold outlined three options: cut staff, cut programs, or increase the property tax levy.

submitted by Cristina Smith

First Baptist Church in Waukon is planning a third mission trip to Brazil, South America June 2-18 of this year. Every four years, First Baptist Church, under the direction of Rev. Duane and Cristina Smith, plans an overseas missions trip open to the youth group and church family.

This upcoming trip is unique because the team of 13 people will be going to the Amazon Jungle of northern Brazil. The past mission trips, in 2009 and 2013, respectively, were to East-Central Brazil. The June 2017 mission trip will be a different and adventurous trip, taking the team to the Amazon Rainforest of northern Brazil.

The Experiential Learning Model emphasizes the use of life skills to learn content objectives. Through 4-H, this model emphasizes the importance of student involvement in the experiences or activities in each situation of the learning cycle. Students bring their own experiences and knowledge to the learning cycle. The Allamakee County 4-H Council is an elite group of senior 4-H members who use their leadership skills to plan community service projects, lead educational workshops and host many countywide 4-H activities. In addition, County Council members are each challenged to complete an individual leadership project. The objective of leadership projects is for members to create an impact in their personal growth as a leader and in their community while developing a relationship with an adult partner.

A northeast Iowa man said a store clerk was more excited than he was about winning the lottery. Lyle Mohwinkle of Waukon (pictured above) claimed the 26th of 91 top prizes of $30,000 available in the Iowa Lottery’s “Bonus Crossword” scratch game. Mohwinkle said he bought his winning ticket Saturday, May 6 at Huba Huba in Waukon and scratched it off before leaving the store. Mohwinkle, a frequent customer of the store, said he knew he won a big prize and had a store clerk double-check his work.

Allamakee County volunteers are a busy bunch

Senior Corps Week is being observed May 15-19, with local efforts being celebrated. The Senior Corps program is under the Corporation of National and Community Service with over 245,000 volunteers age 55-plus serving nationwide. Senior Corps programs are federally funded with local match and include Senior Companions, Foster Grandparents and the RSVP Volunteer Program.

Locally, the Northeast Iowa RSVP Program is under the sponsorship of the Decorah Public Library and covers the counties of Allamakee, Howard and Winneshiek.  Volunteers with the RSVP program are age 55-plus and serve at local non-profit agencies. They can be found everywhere with over 340 volunteers serving at 60 non-profit agencies.

The annual State survey of Northgate Care Center in Waukon has been completed, and after a week of inspection the survey team deemed the facility to have met the standards required by the State of Iowa. For 13 out of the last 20 years, Northgate has gone above and beyond State requirements. During this survey, the environment of the care center, nursing, social work, activities, human resources, dietary and all other facets were inspected to ensure State requirements and standards are being met.

An idea that Waukon native Peggy Sivesind first thought of about 20 years ago while venturing out into the working world was recently able to be put in drive, literally, following her return to her hometown. Now that idea, Cadillac Caring Services, LLC, has Sivesind driving around in style, and taking others along for the ride - almost anywhere they want to go.

"I first came up with this idea over 20 years ago, but as I moved back to my hometown with a smaller population, I saw such a strong need for this type of service," Sivesind explained of the personal driver and travel companion services she offers. "Also, I need to do something that feeds my soul."

The Northeast Iowa Drug Task Force, in its quest to make area communities a safer and drug free place, wanted to make the public aware of its latest endeavor. With the assistance of numerous volunteers, the Northeast Iowa Drug Task Force participated in the National Prescription Drop Off Day Event Saturday, April 29.

Participation in that Saturday, April 29 event yielded 830 pounds of prescription medications. The purpose of these events is to keep medications out of the hands of people who may misuse or abuse them, especially youth. Prescription drug abuse is a growing epidemic in America; it is one of the fastest growing threats to youth today.

The following agencies participated and are members of the Northeast Iowa Drug Task Force: